September 2000 Volume 81 Number 9
"serving the protectors"
| September 2000 Volume 81 Number 9 "serving the protectors" |
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| The Last Shift | |
Dear Andy
I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association due to my retirement from SAPOL effective July 28, 2000, after 32 years, six months and 26 days, but who’s counting. Best of luck for the future and continue to keep direction, honesty and care as your key drives.
Graham Bills
Ex-Sergeant 1065/0
Norwood
Dear Andy
I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association due to my retirement from SAPOL. My last day of service is July 31, 2000.
I thank the Police Association for striving over many years to support its members and to improve the working conditions throughout SAPOL. At times the bargaining and negotiation could not have been easy.
During my 36 years with SAPOL I have met and/or worked with members from throughout the department, having spent 17 years in country postings, two years at the academy, some time metro postings and my last years with Firearms Branch.
I thank all the people who, one way or another over the years have assisted me or I have had the pleasure of working with. Having great workmates and friends has made the job enjoyable. I believe you are the lifeblood of SAPOL and, by working together with the support of the Police Association, you will continue to make this a great state to live in.
I wish the association and all its members the very best for the future.
Ted Warren
Senior Sergeant 1572/5
Firearms Branch
Dear Sir
I wish to advise that I can no longer be a member of your fine institution owing to my resignation from SAPOL effective August 2, 2000. I am leaving to complete my law degree prior to taking up a position as a liability loss adjuster later in the year.
My termination date marks exactly 10 years since I went into that salubrious resort known as Fort Largs. At that stage I had no idea what to expect from my completely rash choice of new career, other than a gut feeling that it was right. I didn’t expect to enjoy the job half as much as eventuated, nor that it would enable me to work among the nicest bunch of people I have known. What I can recall is that I intended to be there for life, be the commissioner, fight crime and uphold justice etc, etc - no doubt like most others there that day.
While the first two dreams dissipated over time, the job stimulated an interest in the law which I now see as being where my future lies, if not within the criminal jurisdiction.
I’d thought out some comments regarding my views on the declining morale affecting members, which I hear still exists despite my having been away for six months on LSL/LWOP (I thought maybe everyone was just sick of me), but why rabbit on about things which everyone knows and which will only fuel the fire of discontent?
It’s easier to reflect on a job which has, despite the present atmosphere, enormous potential to be a rewarding career. As I’ve said, the main strength is the quality of people you get to work with. Almost without exception I’ve found my former colleagues to be highly intelligent, intuitive, good humoured and just damn good fun. Then there’s the life experience which so many never get to see: the coal face of human and less-than-human reality. There’s also the feeling that you actually are doing something which matters and which is important in the overall scheme of things. Without intending this to sound over idealistic, the end result should be a sense of common purpose among members, which definitely existed when I started but seems to have since dissolved somewhat, for the reasons well know to all. I’m sure the current tensions are no more than a passing phase, but there is a danger that an awful lot of good people will at best be permanently disenchanted and at worst leave the job, taking with them much of that which makes it tenable.
I’d like to personally thank my immediate former colleagues, Jenny McDermott, Warren Warner, Al Sharpe and Steve Foenander for making the daily ritual of going to work something to look forward to, and two particular sergeants, Tony McMahon (from my Payneham days) and Anne Prestwood (from my DVS days) for their master of the tricky art of being excellent supervisors. There are also countless people from course 41 onwards I’d like to acknowledge but space prevents it.
I have a slight feeling that I’m leaving a bit soon, but as with eating it’s probably not a bad idea to stop when you think you could still manage a bit more.
All the best to everyone remaining.
Tom Liddy
FCC 3499/1
Adelaide Child and Family Investigations Unit
Dear Peter
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association, effective August 3, 2000, to coincide with my resignation from SAPOL.
I thank all those I have worked with during my 10 years with SAPOL, especially the men and women of Tea Tree Gully Division where I served the last three years of my service. Your support and guidance will always be remembered and, to this end, I wish you all the very best for your futures.
It is due predominantly to an unfortunate crisis on a personal level that my family and I have decided to move to the Northern Territory temporarily in order to resolve this crisis. This decision was not made lightly and only arose after all possible alternatives were exhausted.
I initially applied for 12 months leave without pay, citing personal reasons on the family front as the basis of my application. This application was subsequently rejected at the LSA level with apologies, the accompanying explanation indicating my absence would have a detrimental effect on the current staffing levels already in place.
Not entirely satisfied with the explanation given, my application was forwarded to the Human Resources director for further consultation and consideration. A meeting was subsequently chaired during which a few points in my initial application were clarified in a friendly, relaxed environment. During this meeting, the question was asked what my reaction would be should my LSA commander’s decision be upheld at which point I explained I may have no other option but to resign as it was imperative I be given leave.
Needless to say, the decision was not overruled and I was left in a dilemma as to which was more important: family or my career. Ultimately, and I strongly believe rightly, I chose the former.
I empathize with those members who, at times, felt frustrated and disillusioned by departmental decisions and policies that have worked against them, citing my own personal experience as a basis for this understanding. Had the department been more sympathetic to my needs and, indeed, others before me, situations as these would be a thing of the past. The obvious benefits to SAPOL in terms of higher levels of morale at all ranks and employee satisfaction would be reasons in themselves for immediate revision of the relative policies and guidelines.
On a more positive note, I leave the service with few regrets and can look back on my time with SAPOL with many fond memories and experiences and rest in the knowledge that the safety of the South Australian community is in good hands.
I wish all members of the SA police department the very best in their chosen careers. Keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely
Dimitrios Fotoulis
Constable 3280/1
Tea Tree Gully Division
Dear Peter, Andy and all members of the Police Association
I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association effective August 6 due to retirement after 37-plus years’ service. I leave wishing all in SAPOL a bright future. It is my intention to operate Paintball Skirmish, B&B or accommodation, tours, caravan and bush camping sites on my property near Swan Reach. Flyers will be distributed and members will be looked after.
Barry Dissel
Senior Sergeant
968/9
Port Adelaide Traffic
Dear Peter
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association due to my retirement. My last day of service is Wednesday, August 9, 2000.
Thank you for your efforts and may I wish members happiness and all the best for the future.
Jeff Oats
Sergeant 2/4
Norwood
Dear Andy
I wish to tender my resignation from the Police Association due to my retirement on August 11, 2000.
The majority of my career has been traffic-orientated, so to all in Traffic, best wishes for the future. To all those who I had the privilege to instruct in cars and on motor cycles and sidecars during the Advanced Driving Wing and the Driver Training era, many of whom have progressed to higher aspirations, good luck. My last 10 years in Traffic Safety and Promotions and now Traffic Training and Promotions have been fulfilling.
Focus 21, what can I say that hasn’t already been said. I have seen many changes in the last 40 years, some good, some not so good. I thank the Police Association for its ongoing efforts to make conditions better for members.
Enough said. I have enjoyed your company but don’t like the hours.
Best of luck
Yours faithfully
John Hornibrook
Traffic Training and Promotions
Dear Andy
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association of SA effective August 13, 2000, that being my last day of service with the South Australia Police.
I thank you and your staff for the support you have provided to me over the years and I wish you well in the future. Having been an active member of the Women’s Branch, I have gained an insight into the dedication PASA devotes to the many and varied issues of concern. Keep up the good work.
Yours sincerely
Bronte Lafsky
Detective Senior Constable
Serious Fraud Investigation Branch
Dear Peter
August 15, 2000 will be my last day of duty with the SA Police. I therefore tender my resignation from the Police Association of SA, effective from that date.
I thank you and your committee for the work you have done on behalf of association members and congratulate you on the significant achievements you have made. I would also like to record my appreciation to past committee members who have served during my 36 years with the force.
Sincerely
Rod Hunter
Drug and Organized Crime
Dear Peter
I hereby tender my resignation from the Police Association due to my retirement from SAPOL.
My last day of service will be August 16, 2000.
I wish all my former work colleagues all the best for the future.
Jason Kalms
Const 3013/9
Berri Police
Dear Andrew
Please accept my resignation from the Police Association effective September 9, 2000, the date of my retirement from SAPOL.
To all members I have worked with over the past 35 years, particularly the last few years at Sturt, South Coast and the academy, I thank you for the companionship we shared and wish you all the best for the future. Thanks also to the association executive and staff for your untiring efforts in the interests of members.
Yours sincerely
Trevor Oldman
Superintendent
Sturt Local Service Area
Dear Andy
I have recently resigned from SAPOL to return to full-time tertiary study and as such wish to cancel my membership with the Police Association of SA.
My sincere thanks to Mark Carroll and yourself for all assistance afforded to me by the association.
Yours sincerely
John McMaugh
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